R&B/Hip-Hop

On the latest episode of his Inevitable podcast, J. Cole and his manager Ibrahim “Ib” Hamad played a couple more unreleased tracks by Cole and Kendrick Lamar while also recalling his immediate reaction to hearing some of Kendrick’s sophomore album, Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, for the first time.

According to the North Carolina rapper, the pair recorded some of their collaborations when Drake‘s Club Paradise Tour came into town back in 2012. “He came to Fayetteville and we worked on that studio bus for two or three days,” Cole recalled. “Before, I had sent him joints, but this was the first time we actually got to lock in and work on sh—t. And that sh—t was so fun, dawg… It felt like when your cousin would come over to your house.”

Ib played two tracks, both untitled, and one of which was produced by D.C.-based rapper and producer Oddisee, while the other features Cole somewhat borrowing Project Pat‘s unique flow in pockets.

Cole also talked about Dot playing him GKMC songs before it dropped during those same sessions and that he felt pressure after it was released. “When Kendrick’s album dropped, the journey got harder, the mountain got steeper. Because similar to when [So Far Gone] dropped, where it was like, ‘Oh sh—t, there’s another person out there that has the same ambitions as me,’ it happened like that with Kendrick.” Adding, “It was a feeling of surpassment. It was two indicators that told me. His first-week numbers were more than mine. The other thing was we had a show where we were both on the same lineup… and I went before him and he went after me.”

J. Cole first opened the vault on episode four of his “audio series” podcast and played “Shock the World” and “Temptation”, both featuring Lamar.

You can listen to Inevitable here.

After serving 13 years in a Jamaican prison, recording his biggest hit from behind bars and having his life sentence overturned earlier this year, Vybz Kartel has some big upcoming plans.

Having already released two projects this year in the Party With Me EP — Grammy nominated for best reggae album (his first) — and the compilation First Week Out, the Worl’ Boss is launching a new rum called STR8 VYBZ and will be returning to the stage on New Year’s Eve at National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica, for his highly anticipated Freedom Street concert. He then plans on following the concert by releasing a deluxe version of his 2015 album, Viking (Vybz Is King), to celebrate the album’s 10th anniversary in January of 2025.

His rum, STR8 VYBZ, is partnership with TJ Records and The House of Angostura bitters and will be available in a white overproof named Fever, a spiced version named Ramping Shop, a white flavor in Electric, and a dark rum entitled Unstoppable. Each version of the rum will be produced and bottled by Angostura Distillers in Trinidad and Tobago. “STR8 VYBZ is more than just a rum; it’s a movement. Each bottle embodies the energy and passion of my music, and the spirit of the culture I represent,” Vybz said in a press release.

Produced by Downsound Entertainment, the Dec. 31 concert — Vybz first since being released — will boast special guests such as Popcaan, Spice, Skillibeng, Tommy Lee Sparta, Chronic Law, Shawn Storm, Lisa Hyper, Sheba, Gaza Indy and Kartel’s sons Likkle Vybz and Likkle Addi, among others.

Kendrick Lamar may not be finished releasing new music — at least that’s according to West Coast spokesperson and SiriusXM radio host DJ Hed and Ab-Soul during a recent Instagram Live.

“You see what Dot doing,” DJ Hed began before Ab-Soul interjects and says, “Unc, come on, man.” DJ Hed continued by adding, “Dot going crazy right now,” before Soulo stops himself from spilling the beans. The radio host then finally suggest that the Compton rapper has plans to drop again and that the West Coast sound isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. “We ain’t gonna give them too much,” he said. “I will say this: the homie ain’t done and this what ni—as is on right now, so you could take that however you want.”

Lamar possibly releasing more music isn’t out of the realm of possibility being that he’s headlining Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans this upcoming February. He, along with Future and Metro Boomin, shook up the charts this year with their respective releases. Lamar joined Taylor Swift, Drake, and The Beatles as the only acts to ever have five singles in sit atop the Hot 100 in a single week, with “Squabble Up” debuting at No. 1 and “TV Off” featuring Lefty Gunplay, “Luther” with SZA, the album’s intro “Wacced Out Murals“, and “Hey Now” featuring Dody6 all following suit.

“Squabble Up” is Kendrick’s third No.1 of the year, making him the first solo male to ever achieve the feat. His album GNX also debut on the Billboard 200, marking his fifth No. 1 solo project.

We think Kendrick should go ahead and give us another album. There’s never been anything wrong with shooting a heat check while you’re on fire.